Tag Archives: games at work

Gamers are manipulators. They spend their days playing dirty politics, working one person against one another in their ceaseless quest for status. In their mind, winning is not related to organization results. Their meetings and efforts at delegation usually have two layers of meaning, with political subtext just below the surface.

Gamers attract a motley cast of sycophants, other Gamers, and the disaffected. Productive employees leave as soon as they can.

In unhealthy organizations, Gamers can hang around a long time as they manipulate the people around them in a warped Game of “Who will be the last one voted off the island?” Whether or not the Gamer experiences stress and discomfort depends on his or her internal values. Living and working this way is caustic to the people with any self-regard.

If you feel like this guy, you’re not alone. Winning Well can help you survive and even thrive despite a Gamer boss or toxic work environment by creating pockets of excellence. Chapter 22: What If My Boss Doesn’t Want to Win and Doesn’t Care About Their Soul or Mine? is particularly useful in this situation.